Anthrosource

Annals of Anthropological Practice

Volume 23. Issue 1. January 2005 (Pages 252 - 269)

ANTHROPOLOGISTS IN THE TOURISM WORKPLACE:

VALENE L. SMITH

Anthropology and tourism melded at a symposium at the 1974 American Anthropological Association meeting in Mexico City, believed to be the first social science discussion of tourism in the Western Hemisphere. Tourism has increased dramatically to become one of the world's largest industries, and anthropology has also extended its interests in theory and methodology. Few articles have linked career options for anthropologists to the tourism workplace. Our disciplinary strengths in heritage conservation, economic developmentespecially among indigenous culturesand conflict resolution, as well as our cross-cultural orientation, lead to employment with governments, NGOs, visitor and convention bureaus, and management. Regrettably, many industry employers are unfamiliar with our professional skills; a job search in the tourism workplace may become a personal quest, often bolstered by a sales pitch and with bilingualism as a major asset.